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The Poisoner's Handbook - Interactive: Tales from the Poisoner's Handbook

Follow forensic chemist Alexander Gettler and chief medical examiner Dr. Charles Norris through 1920s New York City as they help solve crimes with groundbreaking forensic science. This interactive graphic novel includes four case studies that will help you learn some basics about biochemistry and is part of the American Experience Collection.

In the early 1900s, the average American's medicine cabinet was a would-be poisoner's treasure chest. Deadly chemicals such as radioactive radium, thallium, potassium cyanide, and morphine lurked in health tonics, depilatory creams, teething medicine, and cleaning supplies. As industrial innovation increased, the tools of the murderer's trade multiplied. However, the scientific knowledge to detect crime and the political will to prevent it lagged behind.

In 1918, New York City was on the brink of becoming the largest metropolis in the world, but it lacked a system for accurately recording deaths. Unnatural deaths were handled by the coroner, a position typically filled by corrupt and unqualified candidates as political payback. New York City's coroners were particularly notorious for taking kickbacks from funeral homes and changing death certificates for a price.

All this changed when Charles Norris, the scion of one of Philadelphia's wealthiest families, signed on to be New York's first scientifically trained medical examiner. Alexander Gettler, the son of poor immigrants, was Norris's extraordinarily driven and talented chief toxicologist. Against the opposition of corrupt politicians and powerful industrialists, Norris and Gettler redefined criminal investigation and led the first campaigns against the dangers of a new chemical age. Using chemistry to explain the causes of violent or suspicious deaths, Norris and Gettler championed a criminal justice system based on forensic science. Their work led to corporate and government regulations on chemicals used in workplaces and included in consumer products and helped lay the groundwork for the creation of the Food and Drug Administration.

Norris and Gettler's most notorious cases include the fatal radium poisoning of the dial painter girls at a New Jersey watch factory; the mysterious poisoning of Mr. and Mrs. Fremont Jackson, who died alone in their New York apartment; the puzzling death and dismemberment of Anna Fredericksen; and the cold-hearted serial killer Fanny Creighton. Together, one autopsy and one case at a time, Norris and Gettler elevated forensic science into a highly respected discipline that has revolutionized the criminal justice system in America. While Norris passed away in 1935, Alexander Gettler remained New York's chief toxicologist until his retirement in 1959.

Beginning a lesson: Display and discuss the fifth photo in the gallery of images near the end of the graphic novel, which shows scientists working in a laboratory. Ask students to observe the picture and describe what they see. What are the people doing? Does it appear to be a safe and clean place to work? After some discussion, ask students to consider how scientific labs have changed since the early 20th century. Make a list of things that might be different in a scene from a modern-day lab.

Doing research projects—individual: Introduce students to the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR). Have students choose one drug to research and create an illustrated poster describing its toxicological effects.

Doing research projects—individual: Have students investigate more recent poisoning cases, such as the Tylenol poisonings in Chicago or the Georgi Markov case. How were the cases investigated? What measures have been taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again?

Doing research projects—groups: Have students work in small groups to research various government agencies (such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) that were set up to protect the health of Americans. When was the agency set up? What is its purpose? Who pushed for or opposed measures related to the development of the agency?